The changes to the Professional Employees Award 2020 (PE
Award) took effect on 16 September 2023.
The Award covers a wide range of employees who work in
information technology, medical research, quality auditing,
engineering, and telecommunications.
Arising from a full bench decision on 22 April 2020 as part of
the four-yearly review of modern awards, in January 2023, the Fair
Work Commission (FWC) decided on its own motion to address hours,
overtime, and award coverage.
Variations to the PE Award were proposed in the Commission's
16 March 2023 decision. The variations were introduced to address
concerns of the Commission that the provisions of the Award failed
to provide a fair and relevant safety net for PE Award-covered
employees working additional or unsociable hours.
